Exosomal miR-205-5p inhibits lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer through diffusely downregulating VEGFA

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2040. This study aimed to identify potential miRNA landmarks for lymph node metastasis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in PDAC. Materials and Methods: A total of 14 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with PDAC (7 at N0 stage and 7 at N2 stage) following appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. The plasma exosomes were extracted with Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Tissue Microarray (TMA) and in situ hybridization (ISH) assay were used to detect miR-205-5p expression in human tissues. Cell-derived exosomes were collected by ultra high-speed centrifugation. PKH-67 staining was used to illustrate the uptake of exosomes by cells. GW4869 was used to block the secretion of exosomes. Subcutaneous tumor model and lymph node metastasis model were applied to monitor proliferation and lymph node metastasis in vivo, respectively.